WOULD-BE panto queen Georgia Salpa finally made an appearance at 'Sleeping Beauty' last night -- as a member of the audience.

Arriving well after the doors to Dublin's Tivoli Theatre had closed for the official opening night of the production, the model slipped into the darkened auditorium after the curtain raised to support her friend Michelle McGrath, who agreed to stand in for her in the role of Queen Kardashian.

Ms Salpa raised eyebrows when she recently decided to pull out of the production. But she revealed last night it was simply a case of stage fright.

"I think I'm better off on the other side of the stage. I was a bit nervous and when I went to do it, I realised I wasn't good enough.

"But Michelle is great and I can't wait to see her," she said.

Also attending last night's opening was 'X-Factor' sensation Mary Byrne, who said she had a great year following her overnight success on the talent show last year.

She is now looking forward to another year of touring and other "bits and pieces", she said.

RTE star Joe Duffy also kept up a family tradition of attending the show with his daughter Ellen (16).